linseed oil

alliskid · Aug 12, 2017

Hi folks! I have a 1943 WC Allis that
is extremely original. It has allot of
original paint on it sheet metal is
probably a 9 out of 10. It would (in
my opinion) a shame to paint it. I
have seen folks use linseed oil to
preserve tractor's like that. My
question is has anyone used it? Likes
or dislikes? How to apply it? Where to
find it? And prep work before? Thank
you for your help!!

Stephen Newell · Aug 13, 2017

You don't want to use that. If you can get past the smell, linseed oil has a yellow cast to it that will continue to yellow more and more as it ages.

As far as where to get it, if you don't live in California you should be able to get it at your local lumber company. It could be applied with a brush or wiped on with a rag.

For what you are doing you would be much better off cleaning the tractor and polish the old paint with rubbing compound and wax it. If you are going to coat the tractor with anything a clear coating could be done. This would require most of the prep work you would do to paint it. You would wash it and clean it with a wax and grease remover and lightly sand it with 400 grit sandpaper.

showcrop · Aug 13, 2017

Pick up any watery phosphoric acid based rust converter. I like the SEM products. Test it on an out of the way place as it may affect the bright orange. Apply with a small brush to all the rest spots. It will kill the rust and keep it from continuing its creep under the paint. It will turn the reddish brown rust to nearly black so that it nearly disappears to your eye, and you are looking at the orange. It will effectively seal the rusty areas.

s,mac · Aug 13, 2017

I know folks that use WD40 on tractors like yours. They spray it on then wipe it down. Looks pretty good. You might try it on a out of the way spot. Steve

David G · Aug 13, 2017

jacksun65 · Aug 13, 2017

You can use a product called fluid film, thats what they have been using on rat rods that they don't want to clear coat.

FBH44 · Aug 17, 2017

As I recall an old boat-builder buddy used to say that linseed oil rags would spontaneously combust. I forget exactly, but I recall he said the linseed oil rags would do so even in a closed container. You might check on it.

Stephen Newell · Aug 17, 2017

You are correct that linseed oil is prone to spontaneous combustion but like anything else flammable it needs air to do so. The stuff isn't all that volatile anyway. I throw linseed oil soaked rags in a pile outdoors frequently when I'm finishing and have only seen them smoke on a very hot day once. The pile never actually caught fire. Still it's good to be safe is why I put the rags outside the building.

504 · Aug 17, 2017

Poke around on some hot rod sites,Rat Rod builders have been doing this for years.

BCCase · Aug 18, 2017

There is a gentleman that posts here on YT and has a YouTube Channel (Kenny Kizzle) who just posted a video last week. He coated a very original H with linseed oil. It looks great just takes some time to dry. I used some on a set of steel steps in a high end house about ten years ago and they still look great. Good luck.

ASEguy · Aug 19, 2017

I redid an old solid wood desk and used linseed oil and polyurethane. I tossed the oil soaked rag in the trash can when I was finished with it and went inside for lunch. When I came back out my trash can was on fire. I was not aware of the tendency for linseed oiled rags to spontaneously combust at the time, but fortunately the trash can was outside.

linseed oil

alliskid

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Stephen Newell

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showcrop

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s,mac

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David G

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jacksun65

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FBH44

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Stephen Newell

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504

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BCCase

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ASEguy

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